Case Number 07512: Small Claims Court

10 Minute Solution Yoga

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All Rise...

Judge Brett Cullum is, as you read this, crouching in the Position of the Uncoordinated Yak.

The Charge

Stretch your way to a better body!

The Case

I used to think Yoga wasn't much more than a nice relaxing stretching session
with soothing calm effects. Then I tried the kind of yoga done in a room heated
up to about one hundred and twenty degrees, and realized Yoga (like many things
today) had become extreme. Anchor Bay has gathered together five yoga
workouts led by fitness instructor Lara Hudson and entitled it 10 Minute
Solution Yoga. It's a part of their fitness series on DVD aimed at people
who don't have time to hit the gym, or who prefer to stretch and strain in the
privacy of their own home.

There are five 10 minute yoga routines contained on the disc:

• Yoga Basics This section is all about form and
breathing, and teaches you basic postures that will be the basis for the rest of
the workouts. Even people who practice yoga regularly will want to make sure to
check this segment out to learn how Lara uses terminology for her poses, and
what the foundations are for her workouts.

• Yoga for Buns and Thighs This all about your butt
and upper leg muscles. The poses in this section are aimed at strength building
and toning in these problem areas. Expect ten minutes of a lot of squatting in
this segment.

• Yoga for Abs Yoga actually makes a nice workout
for your midsection; this segment is my favorite on the DVD. In it you execute
and hold stretches designed to tax your abdominal muscles. This part of the
program is a little more challenging for some people, but it really is an
effective routine.

• Yoga Burn This is a weak section of the DVD,
because its aim is to use yoga to burn calories. It will get your heart rate up,
but I would recommend a more aerobic and active cardio routine as opposed to
this approach. But, like any exercise program, it beats the hell out of not
doing anything at all.

• Yoga for Flexibility and Relaxation Traditionally,
this is what Yoga is all about. You stretch, you relax, and you feel better.
Forget about a killer butt, trying to sweat off pounds, or flattening your tummy
for ten minutes. I'd say this is the reason for buying the DVD.

The DVD itself is your standard presentation with a full screen and stereo
treatment. The production values are stark and simple: Lara Hudson inside a
studio working out on a mat. The special feature here is you can choose two
10-minute segments to play in a specific order. So you control which segments
you want to perform at the menu. It's a nice feature, and it also allows you to
pick longer sessions up to and including a "Play All" feature for when
you have almost an hour to devote to your workout.

These 10 Minute Solution sets are great when you need something quick
and easy before you head out to work, or after a long day. I'd say 10 Minute
Solution Yoga is great to pop in once in a while when you feel stressed, or
if you want to try something new for your abs. Lara Hudson is a likable
instructor, and she doesn't get too aggressive with wild or hard poses. It's
good, basic yoga shot with only Lara performing on a mat in front of you. If you
did it daily you'd go nuts, because it would get too repetitive and become less
and less challenging. I'd suggest this be your backup plan when you can't sneak
out to the gym or commit to a longer session or formal class. It's fine for
that. Fun as a supplement, but 10 Minute Solution Yoga should never be
your primary fitness plan. But it is fun, easy, and well presented. And if you
crank up your thermostat to one hundred and twenty degrees, you'll really drop
some pounds!